TUTORIAL No.

1
FLUID FLOW THEORY
In order to complete this tutorial you should already have completed level 1 or have a
good basic knowledge of fluid mechanics equivalent to the Engineering Council part 1
examination 103.

When you have completed this tutorial, you should be able to do the following.

Explain the meaning of viscosity.

Define the units of viscosity.

Describe the basic principles of viscometers.

Describe non-Newtonian flow

Explain and solve problems involving laminar flow though pipes and
between parallel surfaces.

Explain and solve problems involving drag force on spheres.

Explain and solve problems involving turbulent flow.

Explain and solve problems involving friction coefficient.

Throughout there are worked examples, assignments and typical exam questions. You
should complete each assignment in order so that you progress from one level of
knowledge to another.
Let us start by examining the meaning of viscosity and how it is measured.

D.J.DUNN

1. VISCOSITY
1.1 BASIC THEORY
Molecules of fluids exert forces of attraction on each other. In liquids this is strong enough to keep the
mass together but not strong enough to keep it rigid. In gases these forces are very weak and cannot hold
the mass together.
When a fluid flows over a surface, the layer next to the surface may become attached to it (it wets the
surface). The layers of fluid above the surface are moving so there must be shearing taking place between
the layers of the fluid.

Fig.1.1
Let us suppose that the fluid is flowing over a flat surface in laminated layers from left to right as shown
in figure 1.1.
y is the distance above the solid surface (no slip surface)
L is an arbitrary distance from a point upstream.
dy is the thickness of each layer.

dL is the length of the layer.

dx is the distance moved by each layer relative to the one below in a corresponding time dt.
u is the velocity of any layer.
du is the increase in velocity between two adjacent layers.
Each layer moves a distance dx in time dt relative to the layer below it. The ratio dx/dt must be the
change in velocity between layers so du = dx/dt.
When any material is deformed sideways by a (shear) force acting in the same direction, a shear stress
is produced between the layers and a corresponding shear strain is produced. Shear strain is defined as
follows.

sideways deformation
dx
=
height of the layer being deformed dy

The rate of shear strain is defined as follows.

& =

shear strain
dx
du
= =
=
time taken dt dt dy dy

It is found that fluids such as water, oil and air, behave in such a manner that the shear stress between
layers is directly proportional to the rate of shear strain.

= constant x &
Fluids that obey this law are called NEWTONIAN FLUIDS.
D.J.DUNN

It is the constant in this formula that we know as the dynamic viscosity of the fluid.
DYNAMIC VISCOSITY =

shear stress
dy

= =
rate of shear &
du

FORCE BALANCE AND VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION

A shear stress exists between each layer and this increases by d over each layer. The pressure
difference between the downstream end and the upstream end is dp.
The pressure change is needed to overcome the shear stress. The total force on a layer must be zero so
balancing forces on one layer (assumed 1 m wide) we get the following.

dp dy + d dL = 0
d
dp
=
dy
dL
It is normally assumed that the pressure declines uniformly with distance downstream so the pressure
gradient

dp
is assumed constant. The minus sign indicates that the pressure falls with distance.
dL

Integrating between the no slip surface (y = 0) and any height y we get

du
d
dy
dp d

=
=
dy
dL dy

dp
d 2u
= 2 ..............(1.1)
dL
dy

Integrating twice to solve u we get the following.

dp
du
=
+A
dL
dy

y 2 dp

= u + Ay + B
2 dL
A and B are constants of integration that should be solved based on the known conditions
(boundary conditions). For the flat surface considered in figure 1.1 one boundary condition is
that u = 0 when y = 0 (the no slip surface). Substitution reveals the following.
0 = 0 +0 +B hence B = 0
At some height above the surface, the velocity will reach the mainstream velocity uo. This
gives us the second boundary condition u = uo when y = .

D.J.DUNN

Substituting we find the following.

2 dp
= u o + A
2 dL
dp u o
A=
hence

2 dL

y 2 dp
dp u o

= u +

y
2 dL

2 dL
dp u o

+
u = y
2 dL

Plotting u against y gives figure 1.2.

BOUNDARY LAYER.

The velocity grows from zero at the surface to a maximum at height . In theory, the value of
is infinity but in practice it is taken as the height needed to obtain 99% of the mainstream
velocity. This layer is called the boundary layer and is the boundary layer thickness. It is a
very important concept and is discussed more fully in later work. The inverse gradient of the
boundary layer is du/dy and this is the rate of shear strain .

Fig.1.2

D.J.DUNN

1.2. UNITS of VISCOSITY

1.2.1 DYNAMIC VISCOSITY

The units of dynamic viscosity are N s/m2. It is normal in the international system
(SI) to give a name to a compound unit. The old metric unit was a dyne.s/cm2 and this
was called a POISE after Poiseuille. The SI unit is related to the Poise as follows.
10 Poise = 1 Ns/m2
which is not an acceptable multiple. Since, however, 1 Centi
Poise (1cP) is 0.001 N s/m2 then the cP is the accepted SI unit.
1cP = 0.001 N s/m2.

The symbol is also commonly used for dynamic viscosity.

There are other ways of expressing viscosity and this is covered next.
1.2.2 KINEMATIC VISCOSITY

This is defined as : = dynamic viscosity /density

= /

The basic units are m2/s. The old metric unit was the cm2/s and this was called the
STOKE after the British scientist. The SI unit is related to the Stoke as follows.
1 Stoke (St) = 0.0001 m2/s and is not an acceptable SI multiple. The centi Stoke
(cSt),however, is 0.000001 m2/s and this is an acceptable multiple.
1cSt = 0.000001 m2/s = 1 mm2/s
1.2.3 OTHER UNITS

Other units of viscosity have come about because of the way viscosity is measured. For
example REDWOOD SECONDS comes from the name of the Redwood viscometer.
Other units are Engler Degrees, SAE numbers and so on. Conversion charts and
formulae are available to convert them into useable engineering or SI units.
1.2.4 VISCOMETERS

The measurement of viscosity is a large and complicated subject. The principles rely on
the resistance to flow or the resistance to motion through a fluid. Many of these are
covered in British Standards 188. The following is a brief description of some types.

D.J.DUNN

U TUBE VISCOMETER
The fluid is drawn up into a reservoir and allowed to
run through a capillary tube to another reservoir in the
other limb of the U tube.
The time taken for the level to fall between the marks is
converted into cSt by multiplying the time by the
viscometer constant.
= ct
The constant c should be accurately obtained by
calibrating the viscometer against a master viscometer
from a standards laboratory.
Fig.1.3
REDWOOD VISCOMETER
This works on the principle of allowing the
fluid to run through an orifice of very accurate
size in an agate block.
50 ml of fluid are allowed to fall from the level
indicator into a measuring flask. The time
taken is the viscosity in Redwood seconds.
There are two sizes giving Redwood No.1 or
No.2 seconds. These units are converted into
engineering units with tables.

Fig.1.4

D.J.DUNN

FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER

This viscometer is covered in BS188 and is based on measuring
the time for a small sphere to fall in a viscous fluid from one
level to another. The buoyant weight of the sphere is balanced
by the fluid resistance and the sphere falls with a constant
velocity. The theory is based on Stokes Law and is only valid
for very slow velocities. The theory is covered later in the
section on laminar flow where it is shown that the terminal
velocity (u) of the sphere is related to the dynamic viscosity ()
and the density of the fluid and sphere (f and s) by the
formula
Fig.1.5

= F gd2(s -f)/18u

F is a correction factor called the Faxen correction factor, which takes into account a
reduction in the velocity due to the effect of the fluid being constrained to flow between
the wall of the tube and the sphere.
ROTATIONAL TYPES
There are many types of viscometers, which use the principle that it requires a torque to
rotate or oscillate a disc or cylinder in a fluid. The torque is related to the viscosity.
Modern instruments consist of a small electric motor, which spins a disc or cylinder in
the fluid. The torsion of the connecting shaft is measured and processed into a digital
readout of the viscosity in engineering units.
You should now find out more details about viscometers by reading BS188, suitable
textbooks or literature from oil companies.

ASSIGNMENT No. 1

1.

Describe the principle of operation of the following types of viscometers.

a.

Redwood Viscometers.

b.

British Standard 188 glass U tube viscometer.

c.

British Standard 188 Falling Sphere Viscometer.

d.

Any form of Rotational Viscometer

Note that this covers the E.C. exam question 6a from the 1987 paper.

D.J.DUNN

2. LAMINAR FLOW THEORY

The following work only applies to Newtonian fluids.

2.1 LAMINAR FLOW
A stream line is an imaginary line with no flow normal to it, only along it. When the flow is
laminar, the streamlines are parallel and for flow between two parallel surfaces we may consider
the flow as made up of parallel laminar layers. In a pipe these laminar layers are cylindrical and
may be called stream tubes. In laminar flow, no mixing occurs between adjacent layers and it
occurs at low average velocities.
2.2 TURBULENT FLOW
The shearing process causes energy loss and heating of the fluid. This increases with mean
velocity. When a certain critical velocity is exceeded, the streamlines break up and mixing of
the fluid occurs. The diagram illustrates Reynolds coloured ribbon experiment. Coloured dye is
injected into a horizontal flow. When the flow is laminar the dye passes along without mixing
with the water. When the speed of the flow is increased turbulence sets in and the dye mixes
with the surrounding water. One explanation of this transition is that it is necessary to change
the pressure loss into other forms of energy such as angular kinetic energy as indicated by small
eddies in the flow.

Fig.2.1
2.3 LAMINAR AND TURBULENT BOUNDARY LAYERS
In chapter 2 it was explained that a boundary layer is the layer in which the velocity grows
from zero at the wall (no slip surface) to 99% of the maximum and the thickness of the layer is
denoted . When the flow within the boundary layer becomes turbulent, the shape of the
boundary layers waivers and when diagrams are drawn of turbulent boundary layers, the mean
shape is usually shown. Comparing a laminar and turbulent boundary layer reveals that the
turbulent layer is thinner than the laminar layer.

Fig.2.2
D.J.DUNN

2.4 CRITICAL VELOCITY - REYNOLDS NUMBER

When a fluid flows in a pipe at a volumetric flow rate Q m3/s the average velocity is defined

um =

Q
A

A is the cross sectional area.

The Reynolds number is defined as R e =

u m D u m D
=

If you check the units of Re you will see that there are none and that it is a dimensionless
number. You will learn more about such numbers in a later section.
Reynolds discovered that it was possible to predict the velocity or flow rate at which the
transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurred for any Newtonian fluid in any pipe. He also
discovered that the critical velocity at which it changed back again was different. He found that
when the flow was gradually increased, the change from laminar to turbulent always occurred at
a Reynolds number of 2500 and when the flow was gradually reduced it changed back again at a
Reynolds number of 2000. Normally, 2000 is taken as the critical value.

WORKED EXAMPLE 2.1

Oil of density 860 kg/m3 has a kinematic viscosity of 40 cSt. Calculate the critical velocity
when it flows in a pipe 50 mm bore diameter.
SOLUTION

u mD

R 2000x40x10 6
um = e =
= 1.6 m/s
D
0.05
Re =

D.J.DUNN

2.5

DERIVATION OF POISEUILLE'S EQUATION for LAMINAR FLOW

Poiseuille did the original derivation shown below which relates pressure loss in a pipe to the
velocity and viscosity for LAMINAR FLOW. His equation is the basis for measurement of
viscosity hence his name has been used for the unit of viscosity. Consider a pipe with laminar
flow in it. Consider a stream tube of length L at radius r and thickness dr.

Fig.2.3

du
du
=
dy
dr
The shear stress on the outside of the stream tube is . The force (Fs) acting from right
to left is due to the shear stress and is found by multiplying by the surface area.

y is the distance from the pipe wall. y = R r

dy = dr

Fs = x 2r L
For a Newtonian fluid , =

du
du
. Substituting for we get the following.
=
dy
dr

du
dr
The pressure difference between the left end and the right end of the section is p. The
force due to this (Fp) is p x circular area of radius r.
Fs = - 2rL

Fp = p x r2
Equating forces we have - 2rL
du =

du
= pr 2
dr

p
rdr
2 L

In order to obtain the velocity of the streamline at any radius r we must integrate between the
limits u = 0 when r = R and u = u when r = r.
u

du = 0

p
rdr
2L R
r

p
r 2 R2
4L
p
u=
R2 r 2
4L

u=

D.J.DUNN

10

This is the equation of a Parabola so if the equation is plotted to show the boundary layer, it is
seen to extend from zero at the edge to a maximum at the middle.

Fig.2.4
For maximum velocity put r = 0 and we get

pR 2
u1 =
4 L

The average height of a parabola is half the maximum value so the average velocity is

um =

pR 2
8L

Often we wish to calculate the pressure drop in terms of diameter D. Substitute R=D/2 and
rearrange.

p =

32 Lu m
D2

The volume flow rate is average velocity x cross sectional area.

Q=

R 2 pR 2 R 4 p D 4 p
=
=
8L
8L 128L

This is often changed to give the pressure drop as a friction head.

The friction head for a length L is found from hf =p/g

hf =

32 Lu m
gD 2

This is Poiseuille's equation that applies only to laminar flow.

D.J.DUNN

11

WORKED EXAMPLE 2.2

A capillary tube is 30 mm long and 1 mm bore. The head required to produce a
flow rate of 8 mm3/s is 30 mm. The fluid density is 800 kg/m3.
Calculate the dynamic and kinematic viscosity of the oil.
SOLUTION

Rearranging Poiseuille's equation we get

h gD 2
= f
32Lu m
d 2 x 12
=
= 0.785 mm 2
4
4
Q
8
um = =
= 10.18 mm/s
A 0.785
0.03 x 800 x 9.81 x 0.0012
=
= 0.0241 N s/m or 24.1 cP
32 x 0.03 x 0.01018
0.0241
= =
= 30.11 x 10 -6 m 2 / s or 30.11 cSt

800
A=

WORKED EXAMPLE No.2.3

Oil flows in a pipe 100 mm bore with a Reynolds number of 250. The dynamic
viscosity is 0.018 Ns/m2. The density is 900 kg/m3.
Determine the pressure drop per metre length, the average velocity and the radius at
which it occurs.
SOLUTION
Re=um D/.
Hence um = Re / D
um = (250 x 0.018)/(900 x 0.1) = 0.05 m/s

p = 32L um /D2
p = 32 x 0.018 x 1 x 0.05/0.12
p= 2.88 Pascals.
u = {p/4L}(R2 - r2) which is made equal to the average velocity 0.05 m/s
0.05 = (2.88/4 x 1 x 0.018)(0.052 - r2)
r = 0.035 m or 35.3 mm.

D.J.DUNN

12

2.6. FLOW BETWEEN FLAT PLATES

Consider a small element of fluid moving at velocity u with a length dx and height dy at
distance y above a flat surface. The shear stress
acting on the element increases by d in the y
direction and the pressure decreases by dp in the x
dp
d 2u
= 2
direction. It was shown earlier that
dx
dy
It is assumed that dp/dx does not vary with y so it
may be regarded as a fixed value in the following
work.
Fig.2.5
dp
du
=
+A
Integrating once - y
dy
dx
y 2 dp
= u + Ay + B............(2.6 A)
2 dx
A and B are constants of integration. The solution of the equation now depends upon
the boundary conditions that will yield A and B.
Integrating again

WORKED EXAMPLE No.2.4

Derive the equation linking velocity u and height y at a given point in the x direction
when the flow is laminar between two stationary flat parallel plates distance h apart. Go
on to derive the volume flow rate and mean velocity.
SOLUTION
When a fluid touches a surface, it sticks to it and moves with it. The velocity at the flat
plates is the same as the plates and in this case is zero. The boundary conditions are
hence
u = 0 when y = 0
Substituting into equation 2.6A yields that B = 0
u=0 when y=h
Substituting into equation 2.6A yields that A = (dp/dx)h/2
Putting this into equation 2.6A yields
u = (dp/dx)(1/2){y2 - hy}

(The student should do the algebra for this). The result is a parabolic distribution similar
that given by Poiseuille's equation earlier only this time it is between two flat parallel
surfaces.

D.J.DUNN

13

FLOW RATE
To find the flow rate we consider flow through a small rectangular slit of width B and
height dy at height y.

Fig.2.6
dQ = u Bdy =(dp/dx)(1/2){y2 - hy} Bdy

The flow through the slit is

Integrating between y = 0 and y = h to find Q yields

The mean velocity is

Q = -B(dp/dx)(h3/12)
um = Q/Area = Q/Bh

hence

um = -(dp/dx)(h2/12)

(The student should do the algebra)

2.7 CONCENTRIC CYLINDERS

This could be a shaft rotating in a bush filled with oil or a rotational viscometer.
Consider a shaft rotating in a cylinder with the gap between filled with a Newtonian
liquid. There is no overall flow rate so equation 2.A does not apply.

Due to the stickiness of the fluid, the liquid sticks to

both surfaces and has a velocity u = Ri at the inner
layer and zero at the outer layer.
Fig 2.7

D.J.DUNN

14

If the gap is small, it may be assumed that the change in the velocity across the gap
changes from u to zero linearly with radius r.
= du/dy
But since the change is linear du/dy = u/(Ro-Ri) = Ri /(Ro-Ri)
= Ri /(Ro-Ri)
Shear force on cylinder F = shear stress x surface area
F = 2Ri h =

2Ri2 h
Ro Ri

Torque = F x R i
2Ri3 h
Ro Ri
In the case of a rotational viscometer we rearrange so that
T ( Ro R )
=
2Ri3 h
In reality, it is unlikely that the velocity varies linearly with radius and the bottom of the
cylinder would have an affect on the torque.
T = Fr =

2.8 FALLING SPHERES

This theory may be applied to particle separation in tanks and to a falling sphere
viscometer. When a sphere falls, it initially accelerates under the action of gravity. The
resistance to motion is due to the shearing of the liquid passing around it. At some
point, the resistance balances the force of gravity and the sphere falls at a constant
velocity. This is the terminal velocity. For a body immersed in a liquid, the buoyant
weight is W and this is equal to the viscous resistance R when the terminal velocity is
reached.
R = W = volume x density difference x gravity
d 3 g ( s f )
R =W =
6
s = density of the sphere material
f = density of fluid
d = sphere diameter
The viscous resistance is much harder to derive from first principles and this will not be
attempted here. In general, we use the concept of DRAG and define the DRAG
COEFFICIENT as
CD =

Resistance force
Dynamic pressure x projected Area

D.J.DUNN

15

The dynamic pressure of a flow stream is

The projected area of a sphere is
CD =

u 2
2

8R
u 2d 2

Research shows the following relationship between CD and Re for a sphere.

Fig. 2.8

For Re<0.2 the flow is called Stokes flow and Stokes showed that R = 3du hence
CD=24/fud = 24/Re
For 0.2 < Re < 500 the flow is called Allen flow and CD=18.5Re-0.6
For 500 < Re < 105 CD is constant CD = 0.44
An empirical formula that covers the range 0.2 < Re < 105 is as follows.
CD =

24
6
+
+ 0.4
R e 1 + Re

For a falling sphere viscometer, Stokes flow applies. Equating the drag force and the
buoyant weight we get
3du = (d3/6)(s - f) g
= gd2(s - f)/18u for a falling sphere vicometer
The terminal velocity for Stokes flow is u = d2g(s - f)18
This formula assumes a fluid of infinite width but in a falling sphere viscometer, the
liquid is squeezed between the sphere and the tube walls and additional viscous
resistance is produced. The Faxen correction factor F is used to correct the result.

D.J.DUNN

16

2.9 THRUST BEARINGS

Consider a round flat disc of radius R rotating at angular velocity rad/s on top of a flat
surface and separated from it by an oil film of thickness t.

Fig.2.9

Assume the velocity gradient is linear in which case du/dy = u/t = r/t at any radius r.
r
du
=
The shear stress on the ring is =
dy
t

The shear force is dF = 2r 2 dr

The torque is dT = rdF = 2r 3 dr

t
The total torque is found by integrating with respect to r.
R

T = 2r 3 dr
0

= R 4

2t

In terms of diameter D this is T =

D 4
32t

There are many variations on this theme that you should be prepared to handle.

D.J.DUNN

17

2.10 MORE ON FLOW THROUGH PIPES

Consider an elementary thin cylindrical layer that makes an element of flow within a
pipe. The length is x , the inside radius is r and the radial thickness is dr. The pressure
difference between the ends is p and the shear stress on the surface increases by d
from the inner to the outer surface. The velocity at any point is u and the dynamic
viscosity is .

Fig.2.10

The pressure force acting in the direction of flow is

{(r+dr)2-r2}p
The shear force opposing is
{(+)(2)(r+dr) - 2r}x
Equating, simplifying and ignoring the product of two small quantities we have the
following result.
p d
du
=
for Newtonian fluids.
= +
x r dr
dy
du
If y is measured from the inside of the pipe then r = -y and dy = - dr so =
dr
2
p
du
d u
=
2
x
r dr
dr
2
1 du d u
1 p
+ 2 =
x
r dr dr
du rd 2 u
r p
+
=
2
x
dr dr
du
d r
du rd 2 u
dr
Using partial differentiation to differentiate
yields the result
+
dr
dr dr 2
du
d r
r p
dr
hence
=
x
dr
r 2 p
du
Integrating we get r
=
+A
dr
2 x
du
r p A
=
+ ...........(A)
dr
2 x r
where A is a constant of integration.
D.J.DUNN

18

Integrating again we get

r 2 p
+ A ln r + B................( B)
4 x
where B is another constant of integration.
Equations (A) and (B) may be used to derive Poiseuille's equation or it may be used to
solve flow through an annular passage.
u=

2.10.1 PIPE
At the middle r=0 so from equation (A) it follows that A=0
At the wall, u=0 and r=R. Putting this into equation B yields
R 2 p
0=
+ A ln R + B where A = 0
4 x
B=

R 2 p
4 x

u=

r 2 p R 2 p
1 p 2
R r 2 and this isPoiseuille' s equation again.
+
=
4 x 4 x 4 x

2.10.2 ANNULUS

Fig.2.11

r 2 p
+ A ln r + B
4 x
The boundary conditions are u = 0 at r = R i and r = R o .

u=

Ro2 p
+ A ln Ro + B...........................(C )
0=
4 x
Ri2 p
+ A ln Ri + B .........................(D)
0=
4 x
subtract D from C
1 p
Ro2 + Ri2 + A{ln Ro ln Ri }
0=
4 x

0=

R
1 p 2
Ri R02 + A ln o
4 x
Ri

D.J.DUNN

19

A=

1 p Ro2 Ri2
4 x
R
ln o
Ri

This may be substituted back into equation D. The same result will be obtained from C.

Ri2 p 1 p Ro2 Ri2

+
0=
ln Ri + B
4 x 4 x
Ro
ln
Ri

1 p 2 Ro2 Ri2
B=
Ri
4 x
ln Ro

Ri

ln Ri

This is put into equation B

- r 2 p 1 p R R
1 p 2 Ro2 Ri2
+
ln r +
Ri
u=
4 x 4 x
4 x
Ro
ln Ro

ln
Ri

Ri

2
2
2
2
Ro Ri
1 p 2 Ro Ri
2
r +
u=
ln r + Ri
ln Ri

4 x
R
R

ln o
ln o
Ri
Ri

2
o

2
i

ln Ri

2
r
1 p Ro Ri2
2
2
u=
ln + Ri r

Ri
4 x Ro

ln

Ri

For given values the velocity distribution is similar to this.

Fig. 2.12

D.J.DUNN

20

ASSIGNMENT 2

1. Oil flows in a pipe 80 mm bore diameter with a mean velocity of 0.4 m/s. The
density is 890 kg/m3 and the viscosity is 0.075 Ns/m2. Show that the flow is
laminar and hence deduce the pressure loss per metre length.
(150 Pa per metre).
2. Oil flows in a pipe 100 mm bore diameter with a Reynolds Number of 500. The
density is 800 kg/m3. Calculate the velocity of a streamline at a radius of 40 mm.
The viscosity = 0.08 Ns/m2. (0.36 m/s)
3. A liquid of dynamic viscosity 5 x 10-3 Ns/m2 flows through a capillary of
diameter 3.0 mm under a pressure gradient of 1800 N/m3. Evaluate the
volumetric flow rate, the mean velocity, the centre line velocity and the radial
position at which the velocity is equal to the mean velocity.
(uav = 0.101 m/s, umax = 0.202 m/s r = 1.06 mm)
4. Similar to Q6 1998
a. Explain the term Stokes flow and terminal velocity.
b. Show that a spherical particle with Stokes flow has a terminal velocity given by
u = d2g(s - f)/18
Go on to show that CD=24/Re
c. For spherical particles, a useful empirical formula relating the drag coefficient
and the Reynolds number is
24
6
CD =
+
+ 0.4
Re 1 + Re
Given f = 1000 kg/m3, = 1 cP and s= 2630 kg/m3 determine the maximum
size of spherical particles that will be lifted upwards by a vertical stream of
water moving at 1 m/s.
d. If the water velocity is reduced to 0.5 m/s, show that particles with a diameter of
less than 5.95 mm will fall downwards.

D.J.DUNN

21

5. Similar to Q5 1998
A simple fluid coupling consists of two parallel round discs of radius R separated
by a a gap h. One disc is connected to the input shaft and rotates at 1 rad/s. The
other disc is connected to the output shaft and rotates at 2 rad/s. The discs are
separated by oil of dynamic viscosity and it may be assumed that the velocity
gradient is linear at all radii.
Show that the Torque at the input shaft is given by T =

D 4 (1 2 )

32h
The input shaft rotates at 900 rev/min and transmits 500W of power. Calculate the
output speed, torque and power. (747 rev/min, 5.3 Nm and 414 W)
Show by application of max/min theory that the output speed is half the input
speed when maximum output power is obtained.

6. Show that for fully developed laminar flow of a fluid of viscosity between
horizontal parallel plates a distance h apart, the mean velocity um is related to the
pressure gradient dp/dx by um = - (h2/12)(dp/dx)
Fig.2.11 shows a flanged pipe joint of internal diameter di containing viscous
fluid of viscosity at gauge pressure p. The flange has an outer diameter do and is
imperfectly tightened so that there is a narrow gap of thickness h. Obtain an
expression for the leakage rate of the fluid through the flange.

Fig.2.13

Note that this is a radial flow problem and B in the notes becomes 2r and dp/dx
becomes -dp/dr. An integration between inner and outer radii will be required to
give flow rate Q in terms of pressure drop p.
The answer is

Q = (2h3p/12)/{ln(do/di)}

D.J.DUNN

22

3.

TURBULENT FLOW

3.1

FRICTION COEFFICIENT

The friction coefficient is a convenient idea that can be used to calculate the pressure drop in a
pipe. It is defined as follows.

Cf =
3.1.1

Wall Shear Stress

Dynamic Pressure

DYNAMIC PRESSURE

Consider a fluid flowing with mean velocity um. If the kinetic energy of the fluid is converted
into flow or fluid energy, the pressure would increase. The pressure rise due to this conversion
is called the dynamic pressure.
KE = mum2
Q is the volume flow rate and = m/Q

Flow Energy = p Q
Equating

mum2 = p Q

p = mu2/2Q = um2

3.1.2

WALL SHEAR STRESS

The wall shear stress is the shear stress in the layer of fluid next to the wall of the pipe.

Fig.3.1

du

The shear stress in the layer next to the wall is o =

dy wall
The shear force resisting flow is Fs = oLD
The resulting pressure drop produces a force of F p =
Equating forces gives o =

Dp
4L

pD 2
4

D.J.DUNN

23

3.1.3

Cf =

FRICTION COEFFICIENT for LAMINAR FLOW

Wall Shear Stress

2Dp
=
Dynamic Pressure 4Lu 2m

From Poiseuilles equation p =

3.1.4

2D
32Lu m
Hence C f =
2
2
D
4Lu m

32Lu
16
16

= 2 =
2
D u m D R e

DARCY FORMULA

This formula is mainly used for calculating the pressure loss in a pipe due to turbulent flow but
it can be used for laminar flow also.
Turbulent flow in pipes occurs when the Reynolds Number exceeds 2500 but this is not a clear
point so 3000 is used to be sure. In order to calculate the frictional losses we use the concept of
friction coefficient symbol Cf. This was defined as follows.

Cf =

Wall Shear Stress

2Dp
=
Dynamic Pressure 4Lu 2m

Rearranging equation to make p the subject

p =

4C f Lu 2m
2D

This is often expressed as a friction head hf

p 4C f Lu 2m
=
hf =
2gD
g

This is the Darcy formula. In the case of laminar flow, Darcy's and Poiseuille's equations must
give the same result so equating them gives

4C f Lu 2m 32Lu m
=
2gD
gD 2
16
16
Cf =
=
u m D R e
This is the same result as before for laminar flow.

Turbulent flow may be safely assumed in pipes when the Reynolds Number exceeds
3000. In order to calculate the frictional losses we use the concept of friction coefficient
symbol Cf. Note that in older textbooks Cf was written as f but now the symbol f
represents 4Cf.
3.1.5

FLUID RESISTANCE

Fluid resistance is an alternative approach to solving problems involving losses. The above
equations may be expressed in terms of flow rate Q by substituting u = Q/A

hf =

4C f Lu 2m 4C f LQ 2
=
2gD
2gDA 2

Substituting A =D2/4 we get the following.

hf =

32C f LQ 2
= RQ 2
2 5
g D

R is the fluid resistance or restriction. R =

32C f L
g 2 D 5

D.J.DUNN

24

If we want pressure loss instead of head loss the equations are as follows.

p f = gh f =

32C f LQ 2
= RQ 2
2 5
D

R is the fluid resistance or restriction. R =

32 C f L

2 D5

It should be noted that R contains the friction coefficient and this is a variable with velocity and
surface roughness so R should be used with care.

3.2

MOODY DIAGRAM AND RELATIVE SURFACE ROUGHNESS

In general the friction head is some function of um such that hf = umn. Clearly for laminar flow,
n =1 but for turbulent flow n is between 1 and 2 and its precise value depends upon the
roughness of the pipe surface. Surface roughness promotes turbulence and the effect is shown in
the following work.
Relative surface roughness is defined as = k/D where k is the mean surface roughness and D
the bore diameter.
An American Engineer called Moody conducted exhaustive experiments and came up with the
Moody Chart. The chart is a plot of Cf vertically against Re horizontally for various values of .
In order to use this chart you must know two of the three co-ordinates in order to pick out the
point on the chart and hence pick out the unknown third co-ordinate. For smooth pipes, (the
bottom curve on the diagram), various formulae have been derived such as those by Blasius and
Lee.
BLASIUS Cf = 0.0791 Re0.25
LEE

Cf = 0.0018 + 0.152 Re0.35.

The Moody diagram shows that the friction coefficient reduces with Reynolds number but at a
certain point, it becomes constant. When this point is reached, the flow is said to be fully
developed turbulent flow. This point occurs at lower Reynolds numbers for rough pipes.
A formula that gives an approximate answer for any surface roughness is that given by Haaland.

6.9 1.11
= 3.6 log10
+

Cf
R e 3.71
1

D.J.DUNN

25

 D.J.DUNN

Fig. 3.2 CHART

26

WORKED EXAMPLE 3.1

Determine the friction coefficient for a pipe 100 mm bore with a mean surface roughness of
0.06 mm when a fluid flows through it with a Reynolds number of 20 000.
SOLUTION
The mean surface roughness = k/d = 0.06/100 = 0.0006
Locate the line for = k/d = 0.0006.
Trace the line until it meets the vertical line at Re = 20 000. Read of the value of Cf
horizontally on the left. Answer Cf = 0.0067.Check using the formula from Haaland.

6.9 1.11
= 3.6 log10
+

Cf
R e 3.71
1

1.11
6.9
0.0006
= 3.6 log10
+

Cf
20000 3.71

1.11
6.9
0.0006
= 3.6 log10
+

Cf
20000 3.71
1
= 12.206
Cf

C f = 0.0067

WORKED EXAMPLE 3.2

Oil flows in a pipe 80 mm bore with a mean velocity of 4 m/s. The mean surface roughness
is 0.02 mm and the length is 60 m. The dynamic viscosity is 0.005 N s/m2 and the density
is 900 kg/m3. Determine the pressure loss.
SOLUTION
Re = ud/ = (900 x 4 x 0.08)/0.005 = 57600
= k/d = 0.02/80 = 0.00025
From the chart Cf = 0.0052
hf = 4CfLu2/2dg = (4 x 0.0052 x 60 x 42)/(2 x 9.81 x 0.08) = 12.72 m
p = ghf = 900 x 9.81 x 12.72 = 112.32 kPa.

D.J.DUNN

27

ASSIGNMENT 3

1.

A pipe is 25 km long and 80 mm bore diameter. The mean surface roughness is

0.03 mm. It carries oil of density 825 kg/m3 at a rate of 10 kg/s. The dynamic
viscosity is 0.025 N s/m2.
Determine the friction coefficient using the Moody Chart and calculate the
friction head. (Ans. 3075 m.)

2.

Water flows in a pipe at 0.015 m3/s. The pipe is 50 mm bore diameter. The
pressure drop is 13 420 Pa per metre length. The density is 1000 kg/m3 and the
dynamic viscosity is 0.001 N s/m2.
Determine
i. the wall shear stress (167.75 Pa)
ii. the dynamic pressure (29180 Pa).
iii. the friction coefficient (0.00575)
iv. the mean surface roughness (0.0875 mm)

3.

Explain briefly what is meant by fully developed laminar flow. The velocity u at any
radius r in fully developed laminar flow through a straight horizontal pipe of internal
radius ro is given by
u = (1/4)(ro2 - r2)dp/dx
dp/dx is the pressure gradient in the direction of flow and is the dynamic viscosity.
Show that the pressure drop over a length L is given by the following formula.
p = 32Lum/D2
The wall skin friction coefficient is defined as Cf = 2o/( um2).
Show that Cf = 16/Re where Re = umD/ and is the density, um is the mean velocity
and o is the wall shear stress.

4.

Oil with viscosity 2 x 10-2 Ns/m2 and density 850 kg/m3 is pumped along a straight
horizontal pipe with a flow rate of 5 dm3/s. The static pressure difference between two
tapping points 10 m apart is 80 N/m2. Assuming laminar flow determine the following.
i. The pipe diameter.
ii. The Reynolds number.
Comment on the validity of the assumption that the flow is laminar

4.

NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS

D.J.DUNN

28

A Newtonian fluid as discussed so far in this tutorial is a fluid that obeys the law
A Non Newtonian fluid is generally described by the non-linear law
y is known as the yield shear stress and
of this equation.

du
= &
dy

= y + k& n

& is the rate of shear strain. Figure 4.1 shows the principle forms

Graph A shows an ideal fluid that has no viscosity and hence has no shear stress at any point. This is
often used in theoretical models of fluid flow.
Graph B shows a Newtonian Fluid. This is the type of fluid with which this book is mostly concerned,
fluids such as water and oil. The graph is hence a straight line and the gradient is the viscosity .
There is a range of other liquid or semi-liquid materials that do not obey this law and produce strange
flow characteristics. Such materials include various foodstuffs, paints, cements and so on. Many of these
are in fact solid particles suspended in a liquid with various concentrations.

Graph C shows the relationship for a Dilatent fluid. The gradient and hence viscosity increases
with & and such fluids are also called shear-thickening. This phenomenon occurs with some
solutions of sugar and starches.
Graph D shows the relationship for a Pseudo-plastic. The gradient and hence viscosity reduces
with & and they are called shear-thinning. Most foodstuffs are like this as well as clay and
liquid cement..
Other fluids behave like a plastic and require a minimum stress before it shears y. This is
plastic behaviour but unlike plastics, there may be no elasticity prior to shearing.
Graph E shows the relationship for a Bingham plastic. This is the special case where the
behaviour is the same as a Newtonian fluid except for the existence of the yield stress.
Foodstuffs containing high level of fats approximate to this model (butter, margarine, chocolate
and Mayonnaise).
Graph F shows the relationship for a plastic fluid that exhibits shear thickening characteristics.
Graph G shows the relationship for a Casson fluid. This is a plastic fluid that exhibits shearthinning characteristics. This model was developed for fluids containing rod like solids and is
often applied to molten chocolate and blood.

Fig.4.1

D.J.DUNN

29

MATHEMATICAL MODELS
The graphs that relate shear stress and rate of shear strain are based on models or equations.
Most are mathematical equations created to represent empirical data.
Hirschel and Bulkeley developed the power law for non-Newtonian equations. This is as
follows.

= y + K& n

K is called the consistency coefficient and n is a power.

In the case of a Newtonian fluid n = 1 and y = 0 and K = (the dynamic viscosity)

= &

For a Bingham plastic, n = 1 and K is also called the plastic viscosity p. The relationship reduces to

= y + p &

For a dilatent fluid,

y = 0 and n>1

For a pseudo-plastic,

y = 0 and n<1

The model for both is

= K& n

The Herchel-Bulkeley model is as follows. = y + K& n

This may be developed as follows.

= y + K& n
y = K& n

sometimes written as y = p & n where p is called the plastic viscosity.

dividing by &

& n
y

=K
= K& n 1
& &
&
y
=
+ K& n 1 The ratio is called the apparent viscosity app
& &
y
app = =
+ K& n 1
& &
y
For a Bingham plastic n = 1 so app =
+K
&

For a Fluid with no yield shear value y = 0 so app = K& n 1

The Casson fluid model is quite different in form from the others and is as follows.
1
2

1
2
y

= + K& 2

D.J.DUNN

30

THE FLOW OF A PLASTIC FLUID

Note that fluids with a shear yield
stress will flow in a pipe as a plug.
Within a certain radius, the shear stress
will be insufficient to produce shearing
so inside that radius the fluid flows as a
solid plug. Fig. 4.2 shows a typical
situation for a Bingham Plastic.

Fig.4.2
MINIMUM PRESSURE
The shear stress acting on the surface of the plug is the yield value. Let the plug be diameter d.
The pressure force acting on the plug is p x d2/4
The shear force acting on the surface of the plug is y x d L
Equating we find
p x d2/4 = y x d L
d = y x 4 L/p or p = y x 4 L/d
The minimum pressure required to produce flow must occur when d is largest and equal to the
bore of the pipe.
p (minimum) = y x 4 L/D
The diameter of the plug at any greater pressure must be given by d = y x 4 L/p
For a Bingham Plastic, the boundary layer between the plug and the wall must be laminar and
the velocity must be related to radius by the formula derived earlier.

u=

p
p
R2 r 2 =
D2 d 2
4 L
16 L

FLOW RATE
The flow rate should be calculated in two stages. The plug moves at a constant velocity so the
flow rate for the plug is simply
Qp = u x cross sectional area = u x d2/4
The flow within the boundary layer is found in the usual way as follows. Consider an
elementary ring radius r and width dr.

dQ = u x 2r dr =
Q=

p
R 2 r 2 x 2r dr
4 L

p r
rR 2 r 3 dr

2 L R

p r 2 R 2 r 4
p R 4 R 4 r 2 R 2 r 4

Q=

2 L 2
4 r 2L 2
4 2
4
R

p R 4
Q=

2 L 4

r 2R2 r 4

+
2
4

The mean velocity as always is defined as um = Q/Cross sectional area.

D.J.DUNN

31

WORKED EXAMPLE 4.1

The Herchel-Bulkeley model for a non-Newtonian fluid is as follows. = y + K& n .
Derive an equation for the minimum pressure required drop per metre length in a straight
horizontal pipe that will produce flow.
Given that the pressure drop per metre length in the pipe is 60 Pa/m and the yield shear
stress is 0.2 Pa, calculate the radius of the slug sliding through the middle.
SOLUTION

Fig. 3.3
The pressure difference p acting on the cross sectional area must produce sufficient force to
overcome the shear stress acting on the surface area of the cylindrical slug. For the slug to
move, the shear stress must be at least equal to the yield value y. Balancing the forces
gives the following.
p x r2 = y x 2rL
p/L = 2y /r
60 = 2 x 0.2/r
r = 0.4/60 = 0.0066 m or 6.6 mm

D.J.DUNN

32

WORKED EXAMPLE 4.2

A Bingham plastic flows in a pipe and it is observed that the central plug is 30 mm
diameter when the pressure drop is 100 Pa/m.
Calculate the yield shear stress.
Given that at a larger radius the rate of shear strain is 20 s-1 and the consistency coefficient
is 0.6 Pa s, calculate the shear stress.
SOLUTION
For a Bingham plastic, the same theory as in the last example applies.
p/L = 2y /r
100 = 2 y/0.015
y = 100 x 0.015/2 = 0.75 Pa
A mathematical model for a Bingham plastic is

= y + K& = 0.75 + 0.6 x 20 = 12.75 Pa

D.J.DUNN

33

ASSIGNMENT 4
1.

Research has shown that tomato ketchup has the following viscous properties at 25oC.

Consistency coefficient K = 18.7 Pa sn

Power n = 0.27
Shear yield stress = 32 Pa
Calculate the apparent viscosity when the rate of shear is 1, 10, 100 and 1000 s-1 and conclude on
the effect of the shear rate on the apparent viscosity.
Answers
=1
app = 50.7
= 10 app = 6.682
= 100 app = 0.968
= 1000 app = 0.153
2.

A Bingham plastic fluid has a viscosity of 0.05 N s/m2 and yield stress of 0.6 N/m2. It flows in a
tube 15 mm bore diameter and 3 m long.
(i) Evaluate the minimum pressure drop required to produce flow. (480 N/m2 )
The actual pressure drop is twice the minimum value. Sketch the velocity profile and calculate the
following.
(ii) The radius of the solid core. (3.75 mm)
(iii) The velocity of the core. (67.5 mm/s)
(iv) The volumetric flow rate. (7.46 cm3/s)
n

3.

du
A non-Newtonian fluid is modelled by the equation = K
where n = 0.8 and
dr

K = 0.05 N s0.8/m2. It flows through a tube 6 mm bore diameter under the influence of a pressure
drop of 6400 N/m2 per metre length. Obtain an expression for the velocity profile and evaluate the
following.

(i) The centre line velocity. (0.953 m/s)

(ii) The mean velocity. (0.5 m/s)

D.J.DUNN

34